Releasable pin tap



De. 22, l1942. G. D. .JOHNSON` RELEASABLE PIN TAP Filed July 8, 1940` Patented Dec. 22, 1942 RELEASABLE PIN TAP Glenn D. Johnson, Compton,lCalf., assigner to Baash-Ross Tool Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application July 8, 1940, Serial No. 344,349

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a well tool and relates more particularly to a tool for facilitating the recovery of objects from Wells. A general object of this invention is to provide an effective, dependable and easily controlled pin tap useful in recovering objects from wells and in backing ofi or unthreading portions of pipe, etc. that are caught in wells.

In the drilling of deep Wells drilling tools and equipment are sometimes caught in the well and cannot be withdrawn by the usual methods. For example, a string of pipe sometimes becomes caught in a well and cannot be pulled free. When attempts to remove a string of pipe have failed the pipe is usually rotated in the mouth of the well to unthread at least a portion of the string for immediate removal. This leaves a portion of the pipe string in the well, In many instances the conditions are such that it is impossible or impractical to engage a tool over the l remaining portion of the pipe for the purpose of recovering the fish and it becomes necessary to engage the interior of the fish or pipe with a tap or like fishing tool.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tap useful for recovering objects from Wells that may be readily engaged or threaded in the fish for the purpose of pulling the fish from the well or to facilitate the unthreading of a portion of the sh and which may be easily released from the fish in the event the fish cannot be pulled free or released by the unthreading operations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fishing tap of the character mentioned that includes a set of slips threaded to mate with the socket or box of the fish and adapted to be easily threaded in the socket or box when in a contracted state and then expanded to firmly and positively engage in the box so that a lifting force and/or a turning force may be applied to the sh to Withdraw the fish or to unthread the fish, the expanded slips providing a strong, dependable, tension transmitting connection and dependably resisting unthreading so that torque may be applied to the `fish to unthread its sections.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pin tap of the character mentioned embodying a novel control for the expansible and conr tractible slips that assures the easy release of the tool from the fish in the event the fish cannot be pulled free or backed off.

Another object of this invention is to provide a releasable pin tap in which the control for the slips is fully operated by simple manipulations of the fishing string which do not endanger, strain, or unthread the connections of the fishing string.

Another object of this invention is to provide a releasable pin tap embodying means for delivering or conducting fluid to the fish so that circulation may be established through the fish to assist in freeing the same.

A further object of this invention is to provide a releasable pin tap that is sturdy and compact and simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical, preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional View of a well showing the pin tap of the present invention about to enter a fish in the Well. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the pin `tap showing the control in a partially operated condition. Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the tool of the invention. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the tool showing the control in the fully actuated condition and illustrating the slips engaged in the fish, the fish appearing in vertical cross section. Fig.`5 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5 5 on Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 6--6 on Fig. 3.

The well tool of the present invention may be said to comprise, generally, an upper body member Ii) adapted to be attached to the lower end of a fishing string S, a lower body member H, tap parts or slips l2 to be engaged in the threaded socket I3 of a fish F, a mandrel I4 extending through the members l0 and Il operable to expand the slips l2, and a control I5 for governing the expansion and contraction of the slips l2.

The body member I0 is the upper part of the tool body and is intended to be connected to the lower end of the fishing string S. The member if) comprises a sub or upper section I6 and a lower section I1. The upper section I6 is formed for ready connection with the string S. In the construction illustrated a tapered pin I8 on the upper end of the section I6 is threaded into a coupling member or sub I9 on the lower end of the string S. Where the object or fish F to be withdrawn from the well is made up of parts or sections connected by righthand threads the fishing string S is made up with lefthand threads and the threads of the pin I8 and the sub I3 are lefthanded. In the event the sh F embodies sections coupled by lefthand threads the connections of the string S and the pin I3 and sub I9 carry righthand threads. The lower section I1 is rigidly secured to the upper section I3. In the preferred construction illustrated a pin 28 on the upper end of the section I1 is threaded into a socket 2I in the lower end of the section I6. The threads of the pin and 2| are pitched in the same direction as the threads of the pin I8 and the sub I9. The upper end of the pin 26 forms an upwardly facing annular shoulder 22 in the upper body member I 0 and the section I1 is formed to present a downwardly facing internal annular shoulder 23. A fluid passage 24 extends downwardly through the section I6 from the upper end of its pin I8 and the section I1 isV provided with a central vertical opening 25. The lower body member II is a tubular assembly arranged at the lower end of the member I6. .The lower body member II comprises an upper part 26 and a lower part 21. In the construe tion illustrated a pinV 28 on the lower end of the part 26 is threaded into a socket in the upper end of the part 21. The threads of the pin 28 and the socket are pitched in the same direction as the'threads of the pin I8 and sub I 9. The lower end of the pin 28 forms a downwardly facing annular shoulder 29 in the member II. The lower part 21 has an upwardly facing annular shoulder 30 spaced below the shoulder 29. A central vertical opening 3| extends through the lower body member II. The lower end of the body member II is preferably flat and horizontal and is adapted to cooperate with the upper end of the sh F.

The slips I2 are provided to engage in the box or socket I3 of the fish F and are expansible by the mandrel I4 to obtain a rm hold or grip in the socket I3 and thus connect the tool and string S with the sh. There is a plurality or series of like slips I2 arranged at the lower end of the body member. The slips I2 are arranged in an annular series and are preferably spaced apart. 'Ihe outer sides of the slips I2 are tapered and carry thread parts 32 to mate with the thread in the socket I3. 'I'he series of slips I2 forms a pin, shaped and proportioned to readily thread in the socket I3 and the slips are constructed and arranged so that the pin is slightly smaller in diameter than the socket I3 to'better thread in the socket. The inner sides of the slips I2 have series of inclined surfaces 33. The surfaces 33 are preferably, though not necessarily, frustrums of cones. The inner ends of the uppermost surfaces 33 terminate in upwardly and inwardly sloping shoulders 34. The slips I2 are arranged below the lower end of the body memberl IIV and reins or shanks 315 are provided on the upper ends of the slipsto extend upwardly in the opening 3|. The upper ends of the s hanks 3 5 carry heads 36. In practice the heads 36 are integral with the shanks 35 and t one between the other to form a sectional `ring or annular assembly. The heads 36 are received between the shoulders 23 and 30 sotliat the set of slips I2 is held against longitudinal movement with respect to the lower body' member II." The resiliency of the slip shanks 35normally holds the slips I2 retracted and serves to return the slips to their normal contracted positions after expansion.

rIhe mandrel I4 extends longitudinally through the lower body member II and continues upwardly into the upped body member I0. In the preferred construction the mandrel I4 is an elongate tubular structure and is sectional to facilitate the assembly of the device. In the construction illustrated the mandrel I4 includes an upper section 31 and a. lower section 38 threaded into the lower end of the upper section. The lower end of the section 31 forms a downwardly facing shoulder 39 substantially flush with the shoulder 23. An annular upwardly facing shoulder 40 is provided on the mandrel section 31`to oppose and engage the shoulder 23. A'nut 4I is threaded on the upper portion of the mandrel section 31 and engages the shoulder 22. Theengagement of the shoulder 4I) with the shoulder 23 holds the mandrel against upward movement while the engagement of the nut `4I with the shoulder 22 holdsthe 'mandrel against downward movementso that "the 'mandrelmoves longitudinally with the upper body member I3. The lowermandr'el section 38 passes downwardly through the series of slip heads 36 and through the series of slips I2.

Sets of slip actuating surfaces' 4Ia are formed on the lower portion of the mandrel Vsectionv 38. 'Ihe surfaces 4Ia are complementary to the surfaces 33, and are operable upon upward movement of the mandrel I4 to expand the slips I2. An annular flange 42 is provided at the upper ends of the series of surfaces 4I and has a downwardly and outwardly sloping lower face. rIThe engagement of the sloping slip shoulders 34 with the sloping face of the flange 42`aidsin releasably holding the slips I2 retracted. A coiled spring 4,3 surrounds the mandrel vsection 38 and is arranged under compression between' the ange 42 and thelower'sidesy of the heads 36. The spring 43 normally supports the'slpsl I2 in raised positions where they are retracted. .'I'he spring 43 further serves to"support the body member II in its normal position, the shoulder 29 resting on the slip heads 36 to transmit the weight of the member II to the heads 36.

The slips I2 are non-rotatably connected with the mandrel I4 so that torque may be transmitted from the mandrel to the slips. Keys 44 are provided on the mandrel section 38 to engage between the slips I2. In practice the keys 44 may be welded or otherwise secured in longitudinal grooves in the lower portion of the mandrel section 35. The outer edges of the keys 44 preferably slope downwardly and inwardly. A spline connection or torque transmitting connection is provided between the mandrel I4 and the lower body member II to allow limited longitudinal movement of the member I I relative to the mandrel. Splines 45 are formed on the mandrel section 31 and slidably cooperate with splines 9 on the part 26 to hold the body member II and the mandrel I4 against relative turning. The splines 45 extend downwardly from the shoulder 4I) and terminate some distance above the shoulder 39. An outwardly projecting rim or flange 8 is formed on the mandrel section 31 at the shoulder 39. The splines 3 are shorter than the splines 45 and have their upper ends spaced from the top of the member II and their lower ends normally spaced above the flange 42. The lower ends of the splines 9 are engageable with the flange 8 to limit the downward movement of the body member I I relative to the mandrel I4 and member I3.

It will be observed that the mandrel I4 and the upper body member I are related for relative turning movement while the mandrel I4 and the lower body member II are related for limited relative longitudinal movement and are connected against relative turning.

Means is associated with `the mandrel I4 to assure the delivery of fluid under pressure to the interior of the fish F. A cup washer or sealing element 45a is arranged on the nut 4I to seal with the interior of the upper body member I0. A clamp nut 45 is threaded on the mandrel section 31 to hold the sealing element 45 in place. The central longitudinal opening 41 of the tubular mandrel I4 receives the iluid under pressure from the passage 24 of the body` member III. A

wash pipe 48 is associated with the lower endV of the -mandrel I4 to discharge the fluid into the fish F. In practice the wash pipe 48 may be threaded in the lower end of the mandrel section 38. The wash pipe 48 is proportioned to freely enter the fish F and carries a packer 49 for sealing with the interior of the ilsh.

The control I5 is such that simple manipulation of the shing string S serves to expand the slips I2, to hold the slips expanded and to contract or permit contraction of the slips. The control I5 includes cooperating parts on the opposing ends of the body members I0 and II. The lower end of the section I1 has a series of sloping or helicoidally pitched surfaces 50 and the upper end of the part 26 has a corresponding number of complementary pitched surfaces 5I. The upper ends or the high ends of the surfaces 50 terminate in vertical shoulders 52 and complementary shoulders 53 occur at the high ends of the surfaces 5I. The shoulders 52 face in a clockwise direction and are opposed by the shoulders 53 which face in a counterclockwise direction. Downwardly projecting lugs 54 are provided on the lower end of the section I1 at the shoulders 52 and notches 55 are formed in the upper end of the part 26 at the bases of the shoulders 53 to receive the lugs 54. With the lugs 54 engaged in the notches 55 the surfaces mate with the surfaces 5I as illustrated in Fig. 1. The parts are related so that the slips I 2 are contracted, with the shoulders 34 at the flange 42, when the lugs 54 are received in the notches 55. The lower ends of the lugs 54 and the bottom walls of the notches 55 have the same pitch as the surfaces 50 and 5I. When the upper body member IU is raised and turned in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the lower body member II the lugs 54. are raised out of the notches 55 and the lower ends of the lugs 54 are made to bear on or engage the surfaces 5I. This engagement may serve to transmit torque or rotation from the body member Ill l to the body member II. The play or clearance between the lower ends of the splines 9 and the flange 8 allows for the raising of the member II as just described and the engagement of the splines 9 with the flange limits upward movement of the member I0 relative to the member II before the said counterclockwise turning of the member II moves the lugs 54'from the surfaces 5I.

It will be assumed that the sh F to be recovered from the well W is made up of sections connected by couplings C having righthand threads. The releasable pin tap of the invention is secured to the lower end of a string S provided with lefthand threads as above described. The tool is run into thewell on the string S and brought to a position where the series of slips I2 may enter the socket I3. With the slips I2 entered in the socket I3 the iishing string S is turned to the right to thread the set of slips in the threaded socket I3. At this time the slips I2 are in their contracted condition and the lugs 54 are engaged in the notches 55. The shoulders 52 engaged with the shoulders 53 transmit righthand rotation from the body member I0 to the body member II and this rotation is transmitted through the splines 9 and 45, the mandrel I4 and the keys 44 to the slips I2. In practice the slips I2 may be readily threaded in the socket I3 without subjecting the string S or the threaded connections of the tool to any appreciable torque and there is no danger of disconnecting or loosening the threaded joints of the string or tool. Threading of the slips I2 in the socket I3 brings the lower end of the body member II against the upper end of the fish F. When the set of slips I2 has been threaded in the socket I3 the string S is raised or put under tension. This moves the body member II) and the mandrel I4 upwardly relative to the lower body member II and the slips I2. The slips being threaded in the socket I3 serve to hold the body section II against upward movement. Upward movement of the body member I0 with respect to the member II moves the lugs 54 upwardly out of the notches 55 and may bring the lower ends of the lugs into alignment with the surfaces 5I. Fig. 2 of the drawing illustrates this condition. With the tension maintained on the iishing string S the string is turned to the left to move the lugs 54 out of vertical alignment with their notches 55. Lefthand turning of the string S brings the lower ends of the lugs 54 into binding engagement or frictional cooperation with the pitched surfaces 5I.

Upward movement of the string S to raise the lugs 54 from the notches 55, as above described, causes expansion of the slips I2. The mandrel I4 moves upwardly with the body member I0 and the flange 42 moves out of holding engagement with the shoulders 34 and the inclined surfaces 4I cooperate with the surfaces 33 to expand the slips I2. The slips I2 expanded in the socket I3 securely connect the tool with the sh F. The frictional engagement of the lugs 54 with the surfaces 5I resulting from the lefthand turning of the string S holds or locks the slips l2 in the expanded state. So long as the lefthand torque is retained on the string S to hold the lugs 54 in frictional contact with the surfaces 5I the string S may be raised and lowered in an attempt to pull free or work loose the sh F. If the sh F is freed by these operations it is, of course, removed from the well on the string S. Circulation fluid or water may be pumped through the string S to discharge from the wash pipe 48 into the sh and if circulation is established through the fish the iish may be more readily freed.

In the event the sh F cannot be pulled loose it may be found desirable to back off or unthread a portion of the sh for removal from the well. With the slips I2 expanded in the socket I3 and with the control I5 actuated as illustrated in Fig. 4, the string S is rotated to the left to unthread or back oil a portion of the sh F. The lugs 54 frictionally engaging the surfaces 5I transmit the lefthand rotation to the lower body member II, the splines 9 and 45 transmit the rotation to the mandrel I4 and the keys 44 on the mandrel transmit the rotation to the expanded slips l2. The expanded slips tightly engaged in the `socket i3 effectively transmit the lefthand rotation to the iish F and a substantial lefthand torque may be applied to the ish without danger or loosening the slips. The lefthand torque applied to the sh F usually loosens one of the connections C and the string S may be turned to the left to unthread the connection and thus free an upper portion of the sh F. The freed upper portion of the fish may be removed from the well on the string S.

In the event a portion of the string cannot be unthreaded or backed as just described, the pin tap is released from the iish. To release the pin tap the string S is turned to the right to engage the shoulders 5E with the shoulders 53 and thus bring the lugs 52 into vertical alignment with their notches 5d and the string is then lowered. Downward movement of the string S moves the lugs lill into the notches ,i

unthreaded from the socket i3 by leithand rotation of the string S. This lefthand rotation is transmitted from the body member lil to the body member il through the engaging shoulders @ii and El. When the slips i2 have been unthreaded from the socket i3 the pin tap may be Withdrawn from the well on the string S.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modiilcations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall Within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, claim:

l. A well tool for engaging in an object in a well comprising a set of slips for entering the object,a mandrel, wedge parts on the mandrel operable upon vertical movement of the mandrel to expandl the slips in the object, means carrying the mandrel and slips for relative vertical movement whereby the slips may be expanded and allowed to contract, and inclined plane means operable by turning movement of said means to provide frictional engagement for retaining the mandrel in the position where the slips arc expanded.

2. A well tool for engaging in the threaded socket of an object in a well comprising two elements, one a body section, the other a mandrel connected with the body section for vertical movement therewith, the elements being related for relative turning movement, slips to be entered in the socket, parts on the mandrel operable to expand the slips in the socket upon vertical movement of the body section and mandrel, and a control operable by turning of the body section relative to the mandrel to lock the slips in the expanded condition and to release the slips for contraction, the control including an inclined surface on one element and a part on the other element for frictionally engaging said surface upon said turning of the body scction.

3. A well tool for engaging in the threaded socket of an object in a well comprising a body section, a mandrel connected with the body section for vertical movement therewith, the body section and mandrel being related for relative turning movement, slips to be entered in the socket, parts on the mandrel operable to exaeoavoo pand the slips in the socket upon vertical movement of the body section and mandrel, and inclined plane means on the body section and mandrel operable by turning of the section relative the mandrel to releasably lock the mandrel in the position where the slips are expanded.

Ll. A well tool for engaging in the threaded socket of an object in a well comprising an upper member, a mandrel connected with the upper member for vertical movement therewith, the member and mandrel being related for relative turning, a lower member non-rotatably connected withthe mandrel and shiftab-le with respect to the upper member, slips carried by the lower member, means for transmitting rotation from the mandrel to the slips, wedge parts on the mandrel for expanding the slips in the socket when the mandrel is moved upwardly relative yto the lower member, and a control for holding the mandrel elevated and the slips expanded releasable by turning 4and downward movement of the upper member.

5. A well tool for engaging in the threaded socket of an object in a well comprising an upper member, a mandrel connected with the upper member for vertical movement therewith, the member and mandrel being related for relative turning, a lower member non-rotatably connected with the mandrel and shiftable with respect to the upper member, slips carried by the lower member, means for transmitting rotation from the mandrel to the slips, wedge parts on the mandrel for expanding the slips in the socket when the mandrel is moved upwardly relative to the lower member, and a control for holding the mandrel elevated and the slips expanded releasable by turning and downward movement of the upper member, said control including cooperating inclined plane elements on the upper and lower members.

G. A releasable pin tap for engaging the threaded socket of an object in a well and operable by a well string comprising a body member to be secured to the string, a lower body part, slips f carried by the lower body part to be threaded in the socket, a mandrel rotatably connected with the body member and shiftably connected with the body part to turn therewith, the mandrel being movable vertically with the body member,

-wedge parts on the mandrel for expanding the slips in the socket upon upward movement of the body member follow-ing threading of the slips in the socket, and a control including shoulders on the body member and body part for transmitting rotation whereby the slips may be threaded into and out of the socket when the slips are contracted.

'7. A releasable pin tap for engaging the threaded Socket of an object in a well and operable by a well string comprising a body member to be secured to the string, a lower body part, slips carried by the lower body part to be threaded in the socket, a mandrel rotatably connected with the body member and shiftably connected with the body par-t, the mandrel being movable vertically with the body member, wedge parts on the mandrel for expanding the slips in the socket upon upward movement of the body member following threading of the slips in the so-cket, and a control including shoulders on the body member and body part for transmitting rotation whereby the slips may ybe threaded into and out of th socket, and sloping surfaces on the body member and body part engaged by turning of the body member following threading of the slips carried by the lower body part to be threaded in the socket, a mandrel rotatably connected with the body member and shiftably connected with the body part, the mandrel being movable vertically with the body member, wedge parts on the mandrel for expanding the slips in the socket upon upward movement of the body member following threading of the slips in the socket, and a control comprising walls on the body part deiining a notch, a lug on the body member engaging in the notch whereby the body member may be turned to thread the slips in the socket and released from the notch when the body member is moved to expand the slips, and a sloping surface on the body engageable by .the lug upon turning of the body member to transmit said turning so that the object may be backed off by turning of the string.

9. A releasable pin tap for engaging the threaded socket of -an object in a well and operable by a well string comprising a body member to be secured to the string, a lower body part, slips carried by the lower body part to be threaded in the socket, a mandrel rotatably connected with the body member and shiftably connected with the body part, lthe mandrel being movable ver- .tically with the body member, wedge parts on the mandrel for expanding the slips in the socket upon upward movement of the body member following threading of the slips in the socket, and a control operable by turning of the body member following expansion of the slips for holding l the slips expanded.

10. A releasable pin tap for engaging the threaded socket of an object in a well and operable by a well string comprising a body member to be secured to the string, a lower body part, slips carried by the lower body part to be threaded in the socket, a mandrel rotatably connected with the body member and shiftably connected with the body part, the mandrel being movable vertically with the body member, wedge parts on the mandrel for expanding the slips in the socket upon upward movement of the body member following threading of the slips in the socket, and a control operable by turning of the body member following expansion of the slips for holding the slips expanded, the control including engageable sloping surfaces on the body member and body part preventing relative vertical movement between the body member and body part.

11. A releasable pin tap for engaging the threaded socket of an object in a well and operable by a well string comprising a body member to be secured to the string, a lower body part, slips carried by the lower body part to be threaded in the socket, a mandrel rotatably connected with the body member and shiftably connected with the body part, the mandrel being movable vertically with the body member, wedge parts on the mandrel for expanding the slips in the socket upon upward movement of the body member following threading of the slips in the socket, and a control operable by turning of the body member following expansion of the slips for holding the slips expanded, and releasable by reverse rotation of the body member to allow contraction of the slips, the control including a notch in the body part, a lug on the body member engaged in the notch for the transmission of rotation in both directions and released from the notch by said upward movement of the body member, and a sloping surface on the body part engaged by the lug upon turning of the body member to latch the slips expanded, the lug being released from the sloping surface by reverse turning of the body member.

12. A releasable pin tap for engaging the threaded socket of an object in a well and operable by a well string comprising a body member to be secured to the string, a lower body part, slips carried by the lower body part 'to be threaded in the socket, means yieldingly holding the slips contracted, a mandrel rotatably connected with the body member and shiftably connected with the body part, the mandrel being movable vertically with the body member, wedge parts on the mandrel for expanding the slips in the socket upon upward movement of the body member iollowing threading of the slips in the socket, and a control including shoulders on the body member and body part for transmitting rotation whereby the slips may be threaded in the socket.

13. A releasable pin tap for engaging the threaded socket of an object in a well and operable by a well string comprising a body member to be secured to the string, a lower body part, slips carried by the lower body part to be threaded in the socket, a mandrel rotatably connected with the body member and shiftably connected with the body part, the mandrel being movable vertically with the body member, wedge parts on the mandrel for expanding the slips in the socket upon upward movement of the body member following threading of the slips in the socket, a wash pipe on the mandrel for discharging fluid into the object, and a control including shoulders on the body member and body part for transmitting rotation whereby the slips may be threaded in the socket.

14. A releasable pin tap for engaging the threaded socket of an object in a weil and operable by a well string comprising a body member to be secured to the string, a lower body part, slips carried by the lower body part to be threaded in the socket, a mandrel rotatably connected with the body member and shiftably connected with the body part, the mandrel being movable vertically with the body member, wedge parts on the mandrel for expanding the slips in the socket upon upward movement of the body member following threading oi the slips in the socket, a wash pipe on the mandrel for extending into the fish, a packer on the wash pipe for sealing in the iish, and a control including shoulders on the body member ,and body part for transmitting rotation whereby the slips may be threaded in the socket.

GLENN D. JOHNSON. 

